The Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers majors in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Social Work, and Social Science Education. Minor programs are offered in History, Political Science, Public Administration, and Sociology. The Division also offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Gerontology. A student is eligible for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science upon satisfactory completion of a prescribed General Education program, the specific requirements of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division, and the major area. A total of 128 hours is required for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Social Science Education majors need a total of 161. They must complete the requirements for the professional certificate in high school education. (See the Chairperson of the Division of Education for information concerning the State of Alabama’s requirements for professional certification). Social Work majors are required to complete a total of 135 semester hours for a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. This program is nationally accredited.
In addition to the three major programs and four minor programs, the Division offers selected courses in Pre-Law, African-American Studies and Criminal Justice.
OBJECTIVES
1.
To acquaint students with the record of our cultural heritage and to pro-mote a better understanding of diverse cultures;
2.
To promote the development of necessary cognitive skills drawing on experience and scientific research to help develop sound judgment in social networking;
3.
To investigate the ways in which social institutions can be improved and how social change can be initiated;
4.
To prepare students to meet the requirements of graduate and professional schools;
5.
To provide those students who are interested in secondary teaching certification with the necessary subject matter preparation; and
6.
To aid students in preparing for increasing professional opportunities in a society which is rapidly changing.
DIVISIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.
All students majoring in the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences must take the number of hours specified in each major. Political Science and Social Work majors are required to take 19 and 30 hours of divisional requirements, respectively. The divisional requirements are in addition to the 54 hours of General Education credits required by the College. A student cannot transfer major area courses from a two-year junior or community college. Any deviation must be approved by the Division chair. Courses under free electives maybe completed at any two-year college. Miles College courses below 300 level may be accepted as free electives.
2.
Students seeking Teacher Certification must maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 2.50 in all major area courses.
3.
All other students must make at least a "C" in their major and minor area courses including the divisional requirements and major electives. Failure to do this will necessitate repeating the course.
4.
A total of 18 hours is required of any minor program of study.
5.
There is no minor in Social Work. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE.)
6.
In the divisional requirements, Principles of Geography 301 may be sub-stituted for Regional Geography 401 or Geography of North America (GE 302).
7.
All students seeking to major in Political Science must have a 2.5 GPA. They are required to take SO 449: Senior Seminar. Also, the Graduate Record Examination (Aptitude Part) should be taken before graduation. Successful completion of the English Proficiency Examination (EPE) is required before a student is formally accepted into the major program.
8.
Any student desirous of minoring in an area or making some alteration in the curriculum of the Division must first get the approval of his or her academic advisor and submit his or her written request to the Division Chairperson.
POLITICAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM
The requirements for a major and a minor in Political Science are as follows:
REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
1.
Student will have completed at least 40 hours of General Studies courses including ED 111, ED 112 that have been taken at Miles and/or have been transferred and accepted from another college or university, and must have passed the English Proficiency Exam (EPE) administered by Miles College. Under special circumstances, the EPE requirement may be relaxed for one more semester.
2.
By the mid-term of the semester in which these requirements will be completed, the student must apply for admission to the major program using the prescribed application form available in the Division Office. Notification of selection shall be communicated by the Division within two weeks.
3.
Student must have a 1.80 GPA in accordance with the College catalog.
4.
The student must be able to demonstrate competency in reading and writing as deemed appropriate by the Division Chair (with input from the Political Science faculty). The Division Chair and the faculty committee will make the final decision.
5.
After acceptance into the program, students must maintain a 2.5 overall average in the major area including Divisional requirements and major electives. Students who drop below a 2.5 grade average, either overall or in Political Science courses, will be given one semester to bring grades up (under special circumstances this may be extended to a second semester as determined by the Division Chair and Political Science faculty members). At that time, students will be required to drop his/her major in Political Science.
6.
If student has in course of his/her General Education Studies taken Political Science courses (e.g. at another college), these courses may be applied to the major (will be decided on individual basis.)
7.
These criteria are supplemental requirements to the College catalog. Under certain special circumstances there maybe the need to alter these guidelines. This can occur only with the Division chair’s permission and the vote of the political science faculty.
8.
All Political Science majors are encouraged to join the Political Science Club.
 
 
 
 
 
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